Pets available for adoption through area shelters and animal rescue organizations:Animal ShelterThe Pitt County Animal Shelter’s featured Pet of the Week is Kiefer, a medium-size adult male golden retriever mix.

When our family leaves home for a vacation, we run through a security checklist: Shut off the gas from outside, adjust the thermostat, leave on a few lights and a radio, make sure the 8-foot pet crocodile has plenty of food and water, and turn off the feeder valves behind the toilets.